Kazakhstan-China: cooperation in agriculture

18.10.2017 09:43 1126

Kazakhstan and China are strengthening cooperation in agriculture. Delegations of the two countries discussed future agricultural projects during the investment forum. China is planning to invest more than $200 million in one of them. The project will affect several regions of Kazakhstan: Zhambyl, Kostanay, Akmola, North Kazakhstan, Aktobe, Almaty region and Astana. Investors are planning to build training and leasing centers, fodder crops and oilseeds processing plants, and the purchase equipment.

WAI ZHUYUAN, HEAD OF CHINESE BUSINESS DELEGATION:

- Kazakhstan has a huge agrarian potential, while China is one of the world’s leaders in production of agricultural products. Therefore, we believe that our today's meeting will be a huge step towards our cooperation in the field of agriculture. Leading agrarian and agricultural machinery companies of China have gathered here. I think this is a great chance to establish the necessary connections for our countries.

According to the forum organizers, Kazakhstan’s agricultural products are in high demand in China. China is primarily interested in organic products grown in Kazakhstan. Chinese businessmen are ready not only to sponsor the construction of processing plants, but also to allocate funds for training of the Kazakh specialists in order to support the local production.

- The Chinese side is offering their equipment and technology. They are promising to deliver new generation high-tech equipment. Calculation of the delivered equipment will be made by Kazakhstan. // 00: 07: 32: 00 – Workers need to know how to use this equipment. Therefore, these investments will be aimed at creating training centers, to train specialists.

The first tranche of investments will be allocated in May next year. Until then, Kazakh agricultural producers will apply for participation in the project. If the project is successful, its initial funding can be increased by several times.